Loading ramp and handling apparatus

Abstract

A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus use on a loading dock comprises a ramp with rollers mounted on its side edges and a pair of parallel rails mounted on the loading lock. The rails have convex plates over which the rollers ride to lift the front edge of the ramp as it passes into the cargo compartment of a truck or trailer. The rails are secured together by a frame, and safety gates are mounted on posts secured to the frame.

I claim: 
     
       1. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus comprising: a ramp having an upper surface for supporting cargo being transferred between a trailer and a loading dock, a front edge for engagement with the floor of a trailer, a rear edge for engagement with a loading dock, and a pair of opposite side edges;   a pair of rollers mounted respectively on the ramp adjacent to said opposite side edges of the ramp;   means for moving the ramp horizontally so that its front edge enters a cargo compartment of a vehicle; and   rail means, supportable on a loading dock and having upwardly sloping surfaces engageable by said rollers, for lifting the front edge of the ramp as the ramp is moved toward the vehicle;   the rail means also having downwardly sloping surfaces allowing the front edge of the ramp to engage a floor of the cargo compartment as the ramp is moved toward the vehicle.   
     
     
       2. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which the rollers are located on the ramp and the upwardly sloping surfaces are located on the rail means in positions such that the front edge of the rail reaches its maximum height at a location in which the ramp extends beyond the loading dock. 
     
     
       3. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 including frame means, connected to said rail means, for maintaining the upwardly sloping surfaces of the rail means in fixed relationship to each other. 
     
     
       4. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 including means for securing the rail means in fixed relation to a loading dock. 
     
     
       5. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which the ramp has at least one projection, and the rail means also includes means, comprising a series of notches, for receiving the projection, whereby the ramp can be held in any selected one of a plurality of fixed horizontal positions by engagement of the projection with a selected one of the notches. 
     
     
       6. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 including frame means, connected to said rail means, for maintaining the upwardly sloping surfaces of the rail means in fixed relationship to each other; means for securing the rail means in fixed relation to a loading dock; and safety gate means for preventing inadvertent movement of loading dock personnel off the loading dock, the safety gate means comprising at least one post fixed to said frame means, and a gate hinged to said post. 
     
     
       7. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which said means for moving the ramp horizontally comprises wheel means adapted to roll upon the surface of a loading dock, the wheel means being having an axle; a hook adapted to engage and lift the ramp at a location such that lifting of the ramp at said location causes the rear edge of the ramp to rise as the ramp rotates on the rollers; and handle means connected to the hook, and positioned so that manual downward movement of the handle causes the ramp moving means to pivot on said axle so that the hook lifts the ramp at said location. 
     
     
       8. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 7 in which the handle is connected to the axle by telescoping connecting means, comprising a first part extending away from the axle and a second part having said handle at one end and having its other end insertable into the first part; in which the second part is movable from an inserted position to an extended position; and in which the first and second parts include means for supporting the first and second parts in oblique relationship to each other when the second part is in said extended position, whereby a horizontal force exerted on the handle when the hook is engaged with the ramp, results in a substantial horizontal force exerted by the hook on the ramp. 
     
     
       9. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the ramp horizontally comprises at least one power-operated linear actuator. 
     
     
       10. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the ramp horizontally comprises at least one fluid-powered piston and cylinder unit. 
     
     
       11. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the ramp horizontally comprises a power-operated linear actuator comprising first and second relatively movable elements, the first element being connected to the ramp and the second element being connected to the rail means. 
     
     
       12. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 11 including means for securing the rail means in fixed relation to a loading dock. 
     
     
       13. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the ramp horizontally comprises a pair of power-operated linear actuators located adjacent to the side edges of the ramp, each linear actuator comprising first and second relatively movable elements, the first element of each actuator being connected to the ramp and the second element of each actuator being connected to the rail means. 
     
     
       14. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 13 including means for securing the rail means in fixed relation to a loading dock. 
     
     
       15. A combined loading ramp and handling apparatus according to claim 1 in which the means for moving the ramp horizontally comprises at least one power-operated linear actuator, and having protective barrier means, secured to the rail means and extending alongside both sides of the ramp, for inhibiting personnel from approaching the ramp except across its front and rear edges.